Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit and method for utilizing FLASH devices as nonvolatile storage elements. Information is modified by adding a new block of data at another location in the memory rather than writing over the outdated information. An address pointer locates the latest information for each data file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for identifying remote terminals which are networked in a digital loop transmission system. A Site Interface Unit (SIU) at one of the remote terminals acts as a master. The Bank Controller Unit (BCU) at each remote terminal calculates a 16-bit number based on its 60-byte serial number. A binary search is then performed by the SIU to determine the calculated number of each BCU, and an address is assigned to each remote terminal by the SIU. Any conflicts in the numbers initially calculated are resolved by transmission of the full 60-byte serial number.

Abstract: A remote terminal for a subscriber loop carrier network operates by flow from one to another of units in the terminal of time division multiplexer data streams of binary valued digital bits. Each stream has the format of periodic frames of time slots of which each frame consists of (a) a service time slot containing only service bits, and (b) a plurality of customer slots which contain mostly bits coded with data from customers of the network, but which also include a less number of service bits. Each unit includes encoding means responsive to local synchronizing and clock pulses derived from data incoming to the unit to encode on each frame of the outgoing data stream synchronizing information consisting of (c) a synchronizing pattern comprising a coded sequence of service bits localized in the frame's service slot and (d) a spoiler pattern formed of service bits distributed over customer slots in the frame.